Everything You Need To Know About The Television Baftas 2019
Graham Norton Stole The Show
This year, the Baftas didn’t clash with Eurovision, meaning TV favourite Graham Norton returned to his rightful role as the event’s host. Leading proceedings for the 11th time, Norton set the tone for a night of razor-sharp comedic quips. Highlights from his opening monologue include: “We now have a female host of Question Time, an all-female line-up on Newsnight. It's not only great for equality, but it saves the BBC a fortune” and "Everyone loved Line of Duty. The interviews were incredible. A more forensically detailed interrogation of times, dates and mobile phone data hasn't been seen since that time Seann Walsh got home late from Strictly practice.”
Killing Eve Won Big
First up, Jodie Comer won the final award of the night – best actress. The Liverpudlian was up against her Killing Eve co-star Sandra Oh as well as Bodyguard’s Keeley Hawes and Mrs Wilson’s Ruth Wilson. In her speech, the actress dedicated her award to her grandmother and paid tribute to the show's writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, saying: “I feel so lucky to say I worked with you, also to call you a friend. You're the most talented person I know, also an inspiration."
The hit BBC show also saw Fiona Shaw win best supporting actress for her role as spy boss Carolyn Martens. The veteran was up against Keeley Hawes for Mrs Wilson, Billie Piper for Collateral and Monica Dolan for A Very British Scandal. Finally, the show picked up the top award of the night – best drama series, beating Bodyguard, Informer and Save Me.
It Was A Big Night For Benedict Cumberbatch
The Sherlock star was on top form last night, winning his first Bafta for leading actor for his turn as Patrick Melrose in the Sky Atlantic drama of the same name. The programme, which is based on Edward St Aubyn’s drug-addled novels, also picked up best mini-series. The show overshadowed A Very English Scandal: Cumberbatch beat Hugh Grant in the leading actor category and the political drama was pipped in the best mini-series category. A Very English Scandal’s only win came for Ben Whishaw, who won best supporting actor for his turn as Liberal MP Jeremy Thorpe’s former lover.
Other winners on the night included Louis Theroux’s Altered States, which won best factual series and Britain’s Got Talent, which beat Strictly Come Dancing, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to win best entertainment programme. Succession beat The Handmaid’s Tale to claim best international show; EastEnders won best soap; and Jessica Hynes and Steve Pemberton won best performance in a comedy programme for There She Goes and Inside No 9 respectively.
Ant McPartlin Made His Comeback
Ant McPartlin returned to the red-carpet last night, winning gongs for I’m A Celeb… and Britain’s Got Talent. The ITV presenter joined his I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here co-host Dec Donnelly and stand-in host Holly Willoughby on stage as the crew celebrated winning best reality and constructed factual show. McPartlin didn’t host the 2018 series, as he took a ten-month TV break to focus on recovery following drink-driving offences last year. “It was a tough year. Personally and professionally. But I just went out and tried to do my best, keep the shows warm for him when he was ready to come back, so I tried to deliver as best I could,” Donnelly said backstage after the ceremony.
Bodyguard Won ‘Must-see’ Moment
The scene when Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) was assassinated in episode three of Bodyguard took home the award for ‘must-see moment’. An award voted for by the public, the scene was up against Coronation Street’s monologue on the suicide of Aidan Connor; Doctor Who, when Rosa Parks, the Doctor and her companions make sure historical moments remain; the moment Eve stabs Villanelle in Killing Eve; the finale of Peter Kay's Car Share; and Queer Eye’s first-ever episode, when Tom completes his transformation. The award served as a reminder of all the great TV we’ve watched over the last year.
Derry Girls Left Empty Handed
Viewers were surprised to learn that last year’s runaway comedy hit Derry Girls didn’t win on the night. The show – based on a group of 16-year-olds growing up in Troubles-era Northern Ireland – was pipped by Sky Atlantic’s Sally4Ever. There was also a notable snub for Richard Madden’s turn in Bodyguard – despite winning an Emmy for the role earlier this year, he wasn’t even nominated for leading actor at last night’s ceremony. Some viewers were also surprised to see the likes of Line of Duty and Fleabag missing from the nominees. However, these don’t count towards the 2019 event as they were screened this year. We’re certain they’ll win big next year.
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